Electrical Upgrades That Increase Home Value

13 June, 2022 Hi-Lite Electric Inc.

Anyone interested in selling their home quickly and for the best possible price needs to ensure it’s in tip-top shape. 

After all, potential buyers will be put off by an outdated or unattractive house. 

It’s not just about curb appeal; you also need to ensure that the inside is ready for inspection by prospective buyers. 

The actual value of your home is more than just how much you paid for it; it’s how much someone else is willing to pay for it. 

When you plan to sell your house or simply want to make it a more comfortable place to live, several things can help increase its value. 

While a complete remodel is one option, smaller projects might be all you need. You can also boost your home value with some relatively simple electrical upgrades. 

Especially if you’re current home was built a long time ago, improving the electrical system will make it safer, more convenient and increase the value. 

In addition to being more efficient, new circuits can accommodate more powerful appliances since they are specifically built to handle those workloads. 

Here are some electrical upgrades that will help you sell your home faster with a higher resale value.

Updated Electrical Panel

Your home’s electrical panel could be a sign of how old your home is. If you don’t know the age of the electrical panel, you can check the documentation for your home. 

This is located on the outside of your house and also in your fuse box. If you have an outdated electrical panel, it could be contributing to the high electricity use that you might be experiencing. 

An electrical panel that hasn’t been updated in decades could be using more electricity to provide power than newer panels. 

Updating the electrical panel is relatively easy but vital to increasing your home’s energy efficiency. 

Note that the wiring must be up to code first. If you have any old Knob-and-tube wiring, you will have to deal with that first.

The minimum standard for electrical panels in Canada is 100 amp with 24 circuits. New electrical panels can be wired to provide more power in the house. 

With modern needs such as home automation systems, outdoor landscape systems, security systems and heating or cooling systems, you can quickly run out of circuits. 

A 200 amp panel is commonly installed in new homes and during renovations.

Replace Old Light Switches and Electrical Outlets

Updating outlets and switches is a cost-effective and easy way to increase the value of your home. 

When outlets get worn down by repeated use over many years, they generate heat that can damage the wiring inside the walls. This can cause electrical arcing, which is responsible for thousands of house fires a year.

Another safety upgrade to replace old electrical wiring and light switches is installing tamper-proof outlets and light switches. 

These outlets and light switches have covers that prevent anyone from being able to make contact with the wiring inside. This prevents children and curious pets from potential electrocution. 

Install Energy Efficient Lighting

While the lighting in your home may be functional now, the bulbs and fixtures can impact the energy usage in your home. 

Adding new energy-efficient lighting to your home can reduce the energy used to provide light and can help lower your monthly energy bill. 

This can be helpful if you’re trying to sell your home because prospective buyers often look for energy-efficient home features. 

Many energy-efficient bulbs are available in various light temperatures, so you can match the lighting you have in a home.

Extra ceiling fans for Energy-Efficiency

If you have central air or forced air heating, installing extra ceiling fans in rooms that don’t have air conditioning can help reduce the energy used. 

This is especially important in areas of the country prone to extreme heat and where the energy used for cooling can be costly. 

Installing a ceiling fan will help circulate air in a room, reducing the energy needed for cooling. 

If you’re trying to sell your home, having energy-efficient features can help reduce the energy used in a home and lower your monthly energy bill.

Under-Cabinet Lighting

Adding under-cabinet lighting to your kitchen can help make it more functional and visually impressive. 

Adding under-cabinet lights to your kitchen can make it easier to prepare meals and clean up after cooking. These lights are available in both wired and wireless options.

While many newer homes will have light fixtures that can be controlled with a smartphone or a smart device, the light fixture in an older home might only have a dimmer switch. 

Adding a modern light switch to a light fixture in an older home can help modernize your home and make it automation-ready.

Install Landscape lighting

Landscape lighting can help make your outdoor space more functional and safer by installing lights set on timers for outdoor use. 

This can help provide extra light in the yard, making it easier to enjoy your hard when well into the evening. 

Some landscape lighting kits plug come with the option to add a timer to turn the lights on and off automatically. 

Other landscape lighting kits are designed to be wired directly into a home’s electrical system. This can provide a more constant light source and is easy to control if you use home automation.

In addition to making your home nice and bright, these lights offer an additional security benefit. 

Brightly lit homes are less attractive to potential burglars, and lighting on timers can help give the appearance that people are home, even when they aren’t. 

Add a Backup Generator

A backup generator can help keep the lights on in your home during a power outage, providing a constant energy source. 

Homes with backup generators installed often have a smaller fire risk, which can reduce the amount of insurance a homeowner will need to pay each year.

Security Camera Installation

Security cameras are becoming more common every day, and they can help provide additional security for a home and can be used to watch pets or children while you’re away from home. 

Security cameras can be monitored from a smartphone or computer, making it easier to watch children or pets while you’re away from home. 

Installing security cameras in the front of your home or a video doorbell offer another layer of protection that will give prospective buyers peace of mind.

Are Electrical Upgrades Worth it?

With the right electrical upgrades, you can improve your home’s overall comfort and functionality while increasing its value. When you’re ready to make these upgrades, hire a certified electrician to ensure that your home receives the proper upgrades.

For more information about electrician services or to speak directly with an electrician, call Hi-Lite Electric at 416-800-5536 or contact us here.